Beretta 93 R

[CLASSIC12]

Bought it at a bankruptcy forced auction back in 1999; as per Swiss law the auction was organized by the local police, as you need a permit for all weapons, and a special permit for full-auto weapons. I have a second magazine and the original box too (though cardboard, not worth showing). Needless to say I was ecstatic to acquire it, and still very happy to have it in my collection.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Actually I can share the story of how this Beretta 93 R came in my possession.

So back in June 1999, a good friend and shooting buddy sends me a fax (yes a TELEFAX) with the copy of a newspaper ad for a forced auction after a private bankruptcy.

I wrote to the bankruptcy office and asked for a detailed list of the guns offered for sale.

When I saw the Beretta 93 R, having already a 92 F from 1986 which I adored (and still have), I knew I should try to buy it.

I asked the LGS what price would be reasonable, in order words where do I stop bidding. He told me that the normal value was abt. 1000.- Swiss francs (abt 670.- $ back then), but that would have been if you could have bought one new from Beretta. However they sold in very limited quantities, mostly to police and/or counter terrorism forces, and only in batches (like 10 guns or so).

So finding one in the private market was extremely rare and a price of upto 3000.- Swiss francs (2000.- $) would be reasonable. I went to the bank and created a dent in my savings account, took 3 grand out.

Despite the listing number, they sold the special objects (full auto) last (the Beretta 12 MG, the 93 R and the 1928 A1 Thompson). It was the main event.

At first Tom Dick and Harry were happily bidding, increments of CHF 100.-. After a while, nearing two grand we were only two left truly interested in this gun (others were saving their pennies for the Tommy gun or spent them on the 12 MG). We kept increasing by 100.-, 2200, 2300, 2400, when the other guy showed he was running out of oxygen: he started bidding by 5.- increments, like 2405.-. So I kept increasing by 100.- to discourage him. At 2605 I decided to slow down, offered 2650.- (US$ 1770.-). He gave up, lot number 37 was mine. [emoji3]

Recently I saw three being sold locally at abt. 5000.- CHF (about the same in US$ today). Another LGS sold one for 6'000.- a couple of years ago.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Now all you need is a couple of mags about 2 feet long!

 

[BAM-BAM]

LOL.... great find on a not very practical; but really cooool/neat weapon........

Beretta now makes/sells factory 30 rd mags for their CX-4 9mm carbine... that will fit and work in a 93R.... Mec-gar make 20 round magazines for the 92 that will also work......

 

[petepeterson]

Sweet pistol. Very neat item to own. They will work with standard 15-rd 92 mags, correct?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Sweet pistol. Very neat item to own. They will work with standard 15-rd 92 mags, correct?

I'm a Beretta fan...... the answer is yes...... but with a +1000 rpm rate of fire you only get 5 very fast 3rd bursts......

I have read that they are hard to control in repeated bursts.....always felt the 93R was Italy's answer to the "Man from U.N.C.L.E.'s" modified German P-38 pistol/carbine...................

 

[ExRanger714]

There's one on Gunbroker now for the buy it now price of $29,400.00 USD.

I think you got your money's worth!

Color me green with envy. JD

 

[Chromedhearts]

It’s interesting to me that in countries that still allow their citizens to buy new full auto guns, the prices are not nearly as astronomical as here in the U.S. where basically the only thing available has to have been made before 1986


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BAM-BAM]

It’s interesting to me that in countries that still allow their citizens to buy new full auto guns, the prices are not nearly as astronomical as here in the U.S. where basically the only thing available has to have been made before 1986

Finite supply........... before my time but seem to recall that full auto weren't all that expensive pre-68

Edit: LOL....... when you can buy something without a lot of hassle..... seems no one wants them much...... make them scarce or out of production ...... then the price climbs......................they almost couldn't give away 3" 66s in the mid/late 80s.

 

[CLASSIC12]

A few recent pictures

And I dug out the original box

 

[6518John]

You need to do a video of you shooting it! Watching one being fired is amazing.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X5NQGUcCeg[/ame]

 

[murphydog]

What, over a year since posting (and 20 years since purchasing it) and no range report? The horror!

 

[Alpo]

Finite supply........... before my time but seem to recall that full auto weren't all that expensive pre-68

Edit: LOL....... when you can buy something without a lot of hassle..... seems no one wants them much...... make them scarce or out of production ...... then the price climbs......................they almost couldn't give away 3" 66s in the mid/late 80s.

In 1980 I was at a gun shop in Boca Raton. They had half-a-dozen Thompsons up in the rack. $450. The dealer convinced me that I did not want to mess with the hassle involved with NFA.


I bought my Thompson in 1998. $5,000. That's a fair large increase in price. 1100% in eighteen years. 61% APR.